She could officiate in the Women’s World Cup – BFA
BONGANI MALUNGA
Local assistant referee Botsalo Mosimanewatlala made a significant surge in terms of regional and continental recognition after she earned the opportunity to officiate in the 2017 COSAFA Senior Women’s Championships final. The female official was selected to officiate in the final between Zimbabwe and South Africa after impressing in earlier games during the tournament.
The final was well attended at the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, the game ended 2-1 in favour of South Africa. It was the first time in a long time that a women’s final had attracted a near capacity attendance.
The Botswana Football Association is of the view that Botsalo’s achievement demonstrates the improvement of the level of refereeing in the country. She was the first female Motswana referee to officiate at the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, she has also been earmarked to possibly make the list for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be in France.
“We must be proud of her work. She is a premier league referee, and she has been on international assignments, this shows that she has no limitations. She is capable of officiating at continental and even global tournaments. She could be a part of the referees considered for the next women’s World Cup, she is training to reach that level, and it would be yet another milestone for her and for the country. We are making great progress in terms of our officiating,” said BFA Public Relations Officer Tumo Mpatane.
Officials from Botswana ave been growing in leaps and bounds in recent years, Joshua Bondo finally realised his dream of officiating at an AFCON tournament this year. More local referees are projected to reach similar levels to the likes of Botsalo and Bondo.